Need advice on how to increase hp on 1600cc....

Hey guys, I'm a new speedester owner from Alaska and I'm looking for the cheapest and easiest way to increase my hp on the 1600cc vw engine. I'm a female who knows nothing of mechanics but I've been reading about 87 and 88mm pistons and dual weber carbs....Someone please point me in the right direction. I have around $1,000 for upgrades. Thanks

Hello Meriah. You need to tell us more about your Speedster and the engine. If the build quality of the basic engine is marginal or less, putting a good deal of money into after market upgrades may not be a prudent plan. You may only hasten its demise.

Going out on a limb here . . . don't want to be accused of giving lame tech advice by all of the old, and mostly sleeping, dogs . . . but__

Best budget bang for the buck is:

1641 slip-in 87 mm piston and barrel set
1.25 to 1 ratio rockers
Kadron dual carbs
German 009 distributor (single vac advance if the Kadrons have the correct ports drilled in them)
Pertronix 1 ignition kit wl/Flame Thrower coil
Extractor exhaust (single quiet-pac makes the most HP but it might not fit your car.

For someone new to the game, you MUST check :

http://shoptalkforums.com/ and http://www.thesamba.com/vw/
both, for used and new parts at good prices and mountains of technical advice for all things VW.

Spend a weekend, look into every forum and section available, join both forums and ask every question that you have,

Luck,

TC

TC has listed some good choices. The engine that is in my wife's '63 bug started life as a '66 German-built 1300cc engine. It has a number of mods purportedly made to it, some of which are obvious and some that I made myself.

1641 slip-in 87 mm pistons and barrels are there
ratio rockers - unknown, possibly standard
baby Dell Orto carbs dual carbs
German 009 distributor
Pertronix 1 ignition kit w/Flame Thrower coil and 7 mm wires
stainless steel exhaust, single outlet, source unknown

The car runs great and makes good power. No shifting on hills with this baby.

In AK I'd stick with carb(s) with electric chokes for sure vice the Webers. I probably wouldn't use slip in 88mm in TX but ok in AK --- especially if quality Mahle ones.

Hey Meriah,
I'd take the car into to Bruce at Arctic Imports when it gets up here and have him do a once over. Take the suggestions you learn from here, and then bump those suggestions off of him for building up your 1600. He is the VW guy in AK, he

Ditto on what TC said; by doing those mods he suggested you should be in the ballpark of your intended budget. Dual Kads set is around $400.00, VW 1.25 ratio rockers are about $120.00, pistons should be around $185.00 to $200.00, exhaust system around $150.00 electronic ignition retrofit kit around $60.00. Add labor and any incidental head work you might need and you're a little bit over but not that much.

Anything past the above mentioned improvements means a fairy substantial outlay of cash, and splitting the case. How many miles on your 1600? Hopefully, it has dual port heads.